PIED TYPE
Obama fiddles, Afghanistan burns
Okay, what’s the delay with Obama’s decision about troops in Afghanistan? He’s been getting his Afghani ducks in a row for months. I’m all for careful consideration, a gathering of facts, a seeking of advice, and all that. But enough is enough. While we’ve waited and he’s cogitated, Americans have continued to die in Afghanistan. … Continue reading
Those who ignore history …
There’s been lots of talk the last few weeks about the US military presence in Afghanistan. Frankly, I haven’t paid much attention. History tells us no outside power has succeeded in Afghanistan, and the past is prologue We went into Afghanistan for one reason — to get Bin Laden, the author of the 9/11 attacks. … Continue reading
Ayatollah Ahmed Khatami — nice guy
Iran’s Ayatollah Ahmed Khatami, at Friday “prayers” in Tehran, showed the sort of mentality the Iranian protesters are up against. He called for the arrest and punishment of protesters, treating them “strongly and with cruelty” according to some sources, or executing them, according to other sources. None of that silly “let the punishment fit the … Continue reading
Is the Iranian theocracy doomed?
In the June 29 issue of Newsweek, Jon Meacham wrote of religion and politics in “Theocracies Are Doomed. Thank God.” Any time you put religion and politics in the same sentence, you’re going to come up with some controversy, so an opinion piece on the two was bound to get my attention. Most notably the … Continue reading
The lionesses of Iran
Like others around the world, I’ve been watching events unfold in Iran since the contested election more than a week ago. The pictures have been much like those we’ve seen from other protests, demonstrations, riots, and revolts — but with one notable difference. This time it hasn’t been just groups of young men in the … Continue reading
Help the Iranians using Twitter
Update, June 21: Either I forgot to save it after I changed my Twitter time and loc to Tehran, or somebody subsequently deleted the settings. Couldn’t hurt to check yours again if you made similar changes. ____________ I don’t tweet, or follow Twitter, or even have a phone with a keyboard on it. But late … Continue reading
Ron Paul the only one to get it right today
Ron Paul, R-TX, was the only U.S. Congressman today to vote no on a resolution expressing support for the people of Iran in their current demonstrations for freedom, human rights, civil liberties, and the rule of law. Paul has some unusual ideas sometimes, but he can be very insightful. And this time he was right. … Continue reading
Iranian demonstrators won’t be silenced
UPDATE: Tuesday, June 16 — Reportedly seven people were killed at the Monday rally. _______ My heart goes out to the Iranian people. They were so excited, so enthusiastic about their election and what looked like a very real opportunity to vote in a new era for their nation. Then the repressive Iranian government moved … Continue reading
Stop the settlements? Fat chance
It’s encouraging to see Pres. Obama and Sec. of State Clinton telling the Israelis to stop building illegal settlements in the West Bank. And no exceptions — no “natural growth,” no outposts, no nothing. Stop means stop, period. As Clinton put it: With respect to settlements, the president was very clear when Prime Minister Netanyahu … Continue reading
Israelis plan yet another West Bank settlement
The Sydney Morning Herald reports today that Israelis are preparing to establish yet another settlement in the West Bank. Plans call for the construction of some 2500 new homes. Why the Israelis continue to build settlements in the West Bank, while at the same time complaining about attacks from angry Palestinians, is a mystery. The … Continue reading
Gates reviewing Bush’s photo ban
Because our government tried so hard to keep pictures like this out of the press, I thought I’d hang on to this one. This is what we are accomplishing in Iraq. This is why we should get out, now. Photos like this first became public in 2004 because a brave young photographer, Tami Silicio, and … Continue reading
Reporter? Say it ain’t so, Joe
Joe “The Plumber” Wurzelbacher has announced he’s going to Israel — as a war correspondent. Seriously. By my calculations, Joe’s fifteen minutes of fame ended about sixteen minutes after his chance encounter with presidential candidate Barack Obama back in October. Professional journalists and correspondents, many of whom have been denied access to cover the recent … Continue reading
Bush dodges shoes thrown in Baghdad
George Bush appeared at a surprise press conference in Baghdad earlier today, after a highly secret overnight flight. Yet despite what the New York Times at one point called “extraordinary security,” a man within 12 feet of the lectern was able to throw first one of his shoes and then the other at the president. … Continue reading
Obama, Hillary, Palin, and that lame duck dude
Clearly I have exhausted my interest in politics and political news, for a while at least. I know Obama is busy choosing his cabinet and making lots of appointments, but I’ve paid more attention to the economy, the situation in Mumbai, the holidays, Christmas shopping, and the Black Friday trampling death at Wal-Mart and shooting … Continue reading
‘Bush’s War’: In case you weren’t angry enough already
Two nights ago PBS ran another of its documentaries, “Frontline: Bush’s War,” Parts 1 and 2. I knew full well what I was getting into, but I decided to watch it anyway. It was history. It would be a nice summation of the Iraq war and correct any erroneous ideas I had. Well, I stuck … Continue reading
McCain gaffe, Lieberman correction are cause for concern
By now everyone knows that in Jordan yesterday, Sen. John McCain said Iran (predominately Shiite) was training Al Qaida (mostly Sunni) operatives to go into Iraq to fight. In fact, the Sunni and Shia are fighting each other in Iraq, and Iran is reportedly training Shiite extremists, not Al Qaida. However, not until Joe Lieberman … Continue reading
Another day, another reason to get out
The Associated Press just reported the U.S. has killed nine more Iraqi civilians. Accidentally, of course. As if that matters. In shooting wars, innocents die. But in Iraq, we don’t have to be the killers. We should get out, now. © 2008 PiedType.com. Some rights reserved.
And so it goes, in the U.S. and elsewhere
» Why is George Bush going to the Middle East this week? What can he possibly accomplish in a region where he is almost universally despised? Perhaps he thinks that every turkey shoot needs a turkey. » Iranian gunboats have harassed the U.S. Navy in the Strait of Hormuz. Are they trying to provoke an … Continue reading
Annapolis Conference is all about Bush legacy
Palestinian Authority President Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Olmert are meeting with President George Bush today in Annapolis, Maryland, in another attempt to reach some sort of peace agreement. I can’t imagine that any of the attendees really believes our decidedly undiplomatic, foot-in-mouth president can broker a deal for the incendiary Middle East. It was, … Continue reading
Muslim medical students score another point for intolerance
Muslim medical students in England have decided to get picky about their coursework when it conflicts with their religious convictions. While I can appreciate their desire to abide by their religious beliefs, I think it is obvious they are choosing the wrong place to express themselves. Clearly they should be in a Muslim medical school, with the objective … Continue reading
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